82 FR 57162 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 231 (December 4, 2017)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 231 (December 4, 2017)
| Page Range | 57162-57163 | |
| FR Document | 2017-26044 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 231 (Monday, December 4, 2017)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 57162-57163] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-26044] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 161020985-7181-02] RIN 0648-XF859 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod from trawl catcher vessels (3,083 metric tons (mt)), American Fisheries Act (AFA) trawl catcher/processors (205 mt), and jig vessels (94 mt) to hook-and-line catcher/processors (2,732 mt) and pot catcher/ processors (650 mt) in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to allow the 2017 total allowable catch of Pacific cod to be harvested. DATES: Effective November 29, 2017through 2400 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 31, 2017. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 907-586-7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. The 2017 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) in the BSAI specified for trawl catcher is 47,246 metric tons (mt), [[Page 57163]] for AFA trawl catcher/processors is 4,917 mt, and for jig vessels is 107 mt as established by the final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (82 FR 11826, February 27, 2017) and reallocations (82 FR 47162, October 11, 2017, 82 FR 43503, September 18, 2017 and 82 FR 41899, September 5, 2017). The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator) has determined that trawl catcher vessels will not be able to harvest 3,083 mt of the remaining 2017 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels under Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(9), The Regional Administrator has determined that AFA trawl catcher/processors will not be able to harvest 205 mt of the remaining 2017 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels under Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(7). The Regional Administrator has determined that jig vessels will not be able to harvest 94 mt of the remaining 2017 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels under Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(1). Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(iii), taking into account the capabilities of the sectors to harvest reallocated amounts of Pacific cod, and following the hierarchies set forth in Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A) and Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(B), NMFS reallocates 2,732 mt of Pacific cod to hook-and-line catcher/processors and 650 mt to pot catcher/processors. The harvest specifications for Pacific cod included in the final 2017 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (82 FR 11826, February 27, 2017) and two inseason adjustments (82 FR 8905, February 1, 2017 and 82 FR 41899, September 5, 2017) are revised as follows: 44,163 mt for trawl catcher vessels, 4,712 for AFA trawl catcher/ processors, 13 mt for jig vessels, 106,444 mt for hook-and-line catcher/processors, and 4,844 mt pot catcher/processors. Classification This action responds to the best available information recently obtained from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. This requirement is impracticable and contrary to the public interest as it would prevent NMFS from responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and would delay the reallocation of Pacific cod specified from trawl catcher vessels, AFA catcher/processors, and jig gear to hook-and-line catcher/processors and pot catcher/processors in the BSAI management area. Since most of these fisheries are currently open, it is important to immediately inform the industry as to the revised allocations. Immediate notification is necessary to allow for the orderly conduct and efficient operation of this fishery, to allow the industry to plan for the fishing season, and to avoid potential disruption to the fishing fleet as well as processors. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of November 21, 2017. The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the effective date of this action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and opportunity for public comment. This action is required by Sec. 679.20 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: November 29, 2017. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017-26044 Filed 11-29-17; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![57162 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 231 / Monday, December 4, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
Public Law 104–13, October 1, 1995, OMB Expiration Date: September 30, support, TRPs assist the Commission in
and 44 U.S.C. 3507. 2019. determining whether ILEC access
The total annual reporting burdens Title: Part 61, Tariff Review Plan charges are just and reasonable as
and costs for the respondents are as (TRP). required under the Act.
follows: Form Number: N/A. Federal Communications Commission.
Respondents: Business or other for-
OMB Control Number: 3060–0298. Katura Jackson,
profit entities.
OMB Approval Date: September 20, Number of Respondents and Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the
2016. Responses: 2,840 respondents; 5,437 Secretary.
OMB Expiration Date: September 30, responses. [FR Doc. 2017–25949 Filed 12–1–17; 8:45 am]
2019. Estimated Time per Response: 0.5 BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
Title: Part 61, Tariffs (Other than hours–53 hours.
Tariff Review Plan) (TRP). Frequency of Response: On occasion,
Form Number: N/A. annual, biennial, and one-time reporting DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Respondents: Business or other for- requirements.
profit entities. Obligation to Respond: Required to National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Number of Respondents and obtain or retain benefits. Statutory Administration
Responses: 2,840 respondents; 4,277 authority for this information collection
responses. is contained in 47 U.S.C. 201, 202, 203, 50 CFR Part 679
Estimated Time per Response: 30 and 251(b)(5) of the Communications
hours–50 hours. [Docket No. 161020985–7181–02]
Act of 1934, as amended.
Frequency of Response: On occasion, Total Annual Burden: 66,000 hours. RIN 0648–XF859
annual, biennial, and one-time reporting Total Annual Cost: No cost.
requirements. Privacy Impact Assessment: No Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Obligation to Respond: Required to impact(s). Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of
obtain or retain benefits. Statutory Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and
authority for this information collection Respondents are not being asked to Aleutian Islands Management Area
is contained in 47 U.S.C. 151–155, 201– submit confidential information to the
203, 208, 251–271, 403, 502, and 503 of AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
Commission. If the Commission Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
the Communications Act of 1934, as requests respondents to submit
amended. Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
information which respondents believe Commerce.
Total Annual Burden: 156,080 hours. is confidential, respondents may request
Total Annual Cost: $1,307,670. ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation.
confidential treatment of such
Privacy Impact Assessment: No information under 47 CFR 0.459 of the SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the
impact(s). Commission’s rules. projected unused amount of Pacific cod
Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: Needs and Uses: On March 23, 2016 from trawl catcher vessels (3,083 metric
Respondents are not being asked to the Commission released the Rate of tons (mt)), American Fisheries Act
submit confidential information to the Return Order, FCC 16–33, which (AFA) trawl catcher/processors (205
Commission. If the Commission reformed universal service for rate-of- mt), and jig vessels (94 mt) to hook-and-
requests respondents to submit return local exchange carriers (LECs). line catcher/processors (2,732 mt) and
information which respondents believe These reforms require rate-of-return pot catcher/processors (650 mt) in the
is confidential, respondents may request LECs to make tariff filings with the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
confidential treatment of such necessary support materials outside the management area (BSAI). This action is
information under 47 CFR 0.459 of the normal tariff filing period. necessary to allow the 2017 total
Commission’s rules. Sections 201, 202, and 203 of the allowable catch of Pacific cod to be
Needs and Uses: On March 23, 2016 Communications Act of 1934, as harvested.
the Commission released the Rate of amended, require common carriers to
Return Order, FCC 16–33, which establish just and reasonable charges, DATES: Effective November 29,
reformed universal service for rate-of- practices, and regulations for their 2017through 2400 hours, Alaska local
return local exchange carriers (LECs). interstate telecommunications services. time (A.l.t.), December 31, 2017.
These reforms require approximately 95 For services that are still covered under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh
rate-of-return LECs to make one-time section 203, tariff schedules containing Keaton, 907–586–7228.
tariff filings and NECA to make two charges, rates, rules, and regulations SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
tariff filings with the necessary support must be filed with the Commission. Part manages the groundfish fishery in the
materials outside the normal tariff filing 61 of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI)
period. part 61, prescribes the framework for the according to the Fishery Management
Part 61 of the Commission’s rules, 47 establishment of and subsequent Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea
CFR part 61, prescribes the framework revisions to tariffs. Certain LECs are and Aleutian Islands Management Area
for the initial establishment of and required to submit a biennial or annual (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific
subsequent revisions to tariffs. The Tariff Review Plan (TRP) in partial Fishery Management Council under
information collected through the fulfillment of cost support material authority of the Magnuson-Stevens
carriers’ tariffs and supporting required by part 61. The Commission Fishery Conservation and Management
documentation is used by the developed the TRP to minimize
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES
Act. Regulations governing fishing by
Commission and state commissions to reporting burdens on reporting U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP
determine whether the services are incumbent local exchange carriers appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600
offered in a just and reasonable manner. (ILECs). TRPs set forth the summary and 50 CFR part 679.
OMB Control Number: 3060–0400. material ILECs file to support revisions The 2017 Pacific cod total allowable
OMB Approval Date: September 20, to their interstate access service tariffs. catch (TAC) in the BSAI specified for
2016. For those services still requiring cost trawl catcher is 47,246 metric tons (mt),
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:52 Dec 01, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\04DER1.SGM 04DER1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_57393/page/1.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 231 / Monday, December 4, 2017 / Rules and Regulations 57163
for AFA trawl catcher/processors is catcher/processors and 650 mt to pot pot catcher/processors in the BSAI
4,917 mt, and for jig vessels is 107 mt catcher/processors. management area. Since most of these
as established by the final 2017 and The harvest specifications for Pacific fisheries are currently open, it is
2018 harvest specifications for cod included in the final 2017 harvest important to immediately inform the
groundfish in the BSAI (82 FR 11826, specifications for groundfish in the industry as to the revised allocations.
February 27, 2017) and reallocations (82 BSAI (82 FR 11826, February 27, 2017) Immediate notification is necessary to
FR 47162, October 11, 2017, 82 FR and two inseason adjustments (82 FR allow for the orderly conduct and
43503, September 18, 2017 and 82 FR 8905, February 1, 2017 and 82 FR efficient operation of this fishery, to
41899, September 5, 2017). The 41899, September 5, 2017) are revised as allow the industry to plan for the fishing
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, follows: 44,163 mt for trawl catcher season, and to avoid potential
(Regional Administrator) has vessels, 4,712 for AFA trawl catcher/ disruption to the fishing fleet as well as
determined that trawl catcher vessels processors, 13 mt for jig vessels, 106,444 processors. NMFS was unable to
will not be able to harvest 3,083 mt of mt for hook-and-line catcher/processors, publish a notice providing time for
the remaining 2017 Pacific cod TAC and 4,844 mt pot catcher/processors. public comment because the most
allocated to those vessels under Classification recent, relevant data only became
§ 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(9), The Regional available as of November 21, 2017.
This action responds to the best
Administrator has determined that AFA available information recently obtained The AA also finds good cause to
trawl catcher/processors will not be able from the fishery. The Assistant waive the 30-day delay in the effective
to harvest 205 mt of the remaining 2017 Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
Pacific cod TAC allocated to those (AA), finds good cause to waive the 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
vessels under § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(7). requirement to provide prior notice and the reasons provided above for waiver of
The Regional Administrator has opportunity for public comment prior notice and opportunity for public
determined that jig vessels will not be pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 comment.
able to harvest 94 mt of the remaining U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is This action is required by § 679.20
2017 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those impracticable and contrary to the public and is exempt from review under
vessels under § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(1). interest. This requirement is Executive Order 12866.
Therefore, in accordance with impracticable and contrary to the public Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
§ 679.20(a)(7)(iii), taking into account interest as it would prevent NMFS from
the capabilities of the sectors to harvest responding to the most recent fisheries Dated: November 29, 2017.
reallocated amounts of Pacific cod, and data in a timely fashion and would Emily H. Menashes,
following the hierarchies set forth in delay the reallocation of Pacific cod Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
§ 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A) and specified from trawl catcher vessels, Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
§ 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(B), NMFS reallocates AFA catcher/processors, and jig gear to [FR Doc. 2017–26044 Filed 11–29–17; 4:15 pm]
2,732 mt of Pacific cod to hook-and-line hook-and-line catcher/processors and BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:52 Dec 01, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\04DER1.SGM 04DER1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_57393/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2017-12-02 00:40:55
Document Modified: 2017-12-02 00:40:55
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Rules and Regulations | |
| Action | Temporary rule; reallocation. | |
| Dates | Effective November 29, 2017through 2400 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 31, 2017. | |
| Contact | Josh Keaton, 907-586-7228. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 57162 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF85 |
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